September 2, 2021
The Honourable Alan Lagimodiere
Minister of Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations
Rom 301 Legislative Building
450 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0V8
Re: Request for funding to support youth wellness in Northlands Denesuline First Nation
Dear Minister Lagimodiere,
On behalf of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc., I’m writing to you in my capacity as Grand Chief to once again follow up on a request made to your office by Chief Simon Denechezhe of the Northlands Denesuline First Nation.
Chief Denechezhe sent you a letter on July 27. I’m glad my office followed up on his request on August 20 as I came to learn from your staff that your office had lost Chief Denechezhe’s original letter.
Both Chief Denechezhe and myself are eagerly awaiting a response to his request for support for the youth of the remote First Nation of Northlands. I will ensure to advise your new interim leader, Kelvin Goertzen, of our hope for a timely response on this request. The well-being of our MKO youth is of utmost concern to me.
Children and youth throughout Manitoba have lived through many challenging months due to the pandemic. As leaders, we continue to be concerned about the mental wellness of our young people in Northern Manitoba. I once again am requesting your expedient response to Chief Denechezhe’s request for funding in the amount of $200,000 to support the start-up costs to support his community’s youth centre. The operation of this youth centre is essential to supporting the wellness of the young people in Northlands.
As your government takes positive steps towards truth and reconciliation, I urge to you to support the request for funding from Chief Denechezhe. If you need to contact my office, please reach Dorothy Smith by email at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Grand Chief Garrison Settee
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc.
cc: Chief Simon Denechezhe, Northlands Denesuline First Nation
The Honourable Kelvin Goertzen, Premier of Manitoba
Encl: Letter from Chief Denechzhe to Minister Lagimodiere, July 27, 2021
Letter from MKO to Minister Lagimodiere, August 20, 2021
